Progressive Willie Burnley Jr. broadcasts bid for Somerville mayor
Politics
Willie Burnley Jr. is difficult incumbent Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, a two-term mayor who was first elected in 2021. Councilor Jake Wilson can be operating.
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Somerville Metropolis Councilor Willie Burnley is becoming a member of a considerably crowded race for Somerville mayor forward of the election later this 12 months.
Burnley, an at-large councilor first elected in 2021, introduced his bid for mayor Sunday on Instagram. The progressive councilor famous his advocacy and laws supporting renters, and mentioned as mayor, he would “implement a Inexperienced New Deal for Somerville Public Faculties.”
“With a federal administration decided to roll again our rights, decisive native management is extra vital than ever,” Burnley mentioned in an announcement saying his marketing campaign. “I consider I can convey our neighborhood collectively round shared values that can create a safer, extra sustainable, and economically stronger Somerville.”
Burnley is difficult incumbent Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, a two-term mayor who was first elected in 2021 because the successor to former Mayor Joe Curtatone, who had served since 2004. Councilor Jake Wilson can be operating for the job, The Boston Globe reported in December.
In a brand new marketing campaign video, Burnley, a renter who mentioned he was at one time priced out of Somerville, is seen at at Yafa Bakery and Arts on the Armory.
“Somerville is a metropolis of squares. A metropolis stuffed with artists, educators, and entrepreneurs, all preventing to make our residence a greater place,” Burnley mentioned within the video. “We deserve a mayor who will combat simply as arduous to remodel our shared values right into a actuality.”
Burnley made headlines as one of many elected officers calling for an finish to tenant-paid brokers charges, which Governor Maura Healey then proposed to get rid of by means of an out of doors part in her finances proposal final month.
Burnley, who’s polyamorous, was additionally featured in a New York Occasions article for the town’s pioneering antidiscrimination legal guidelines for individuals in polyamorous and different consensually nonmonogamous relationships. He additionally was behind a decision to make use of federal reduction funds to repay medical debt for residents and one other so as to add 29 miles of motorbike lanes by 2030.
In a remark to Boston.com, Burnley mentioned he would convey managerial expertise to the job. He labored for Sen. Ed Markey’s re-election marketing campaign, the place he first employed his personal crew, and served on hiring committees for the Metropolis of Somerville. He was beforehand endorsed by Markey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley for his council seat, in addition to a number of unions.
If elected, Burnley could be the primary Black mayor of Somerville, a metropolis of 80,000, and would one of many youngest, he mentioned in an announcement.
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